B.
Quality assurance.
(1)
Reference standards.
(a)
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), latest
revision: Publication 408, Specifications.
(b)
American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials
(AASHTO): T194, Determination of Organic Matter in Soils by Wet Combustion.
(c)
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
(2)
Sod producer. Company specializing in sod production and harvesting
with a minimum of five years experience.
(3)
Sod installer. Company specializing in performing this work with
a minimum of five years experience.
C.
Submittals.
(1)
Samples. Unless otherwise directed, furnish three strips of sod,
4 1/2 feet long by 12 inches wide, laid on three inches of topsoil
and tamped in place. The samples shall be representative of the sod
and workmanship to be provided. Include sod source location.
D.
(Reserved)
A.
Topsoil.
(1)
Having a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0; containing not less than 2% nor
more than 10% organic matter as determined by AASHTO T194.
(2)
Fertile friable loam, sand loam, or clay loam which will hold a ball
when squeezed with the hand, but which will crumble shortly after
being released.
(3)
Free of clods, grass, roots, or other debris harmful to plant growth.
(4)
Free of pests, pest larvae, and matter toxic to plants.
B.
C.
Lime. Raw ground limestone conforming to Publication 408, Section
804.2(a).
D.
Seed.
(1)
Deliver seed fully tagged and in separate packages according to species
or seed mix. Seed which has become wet, moldy, or otherwise damaged
in transit or storage will not be accepted.
(2)
Fresh, clean, dated material from the last available crop and within
the date period specified, with a date of test not more than nine
months prior to the date of sowing. Percentage of pure seed present
shall represent freedom from inert matter and from other seeds distinguishable
by their appearance. All seeds will be subject to analysis and testing.
|
Table 1
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass and Agricultural Seeds
| ||||
|
Species
|
Minimum Guaranteed Purity
(Percent)
|
Maximum Weed Seed
(Percent)
|
Minimum Guaranteed Germination
(Percent)
| |
|
Kentucky bluegrass (Poapratensis)
|
98
|
0.20
|
80
| |
|
Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, var. Pennfine)
|
98
|
0.15
|
90
| |
|
Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), var. Kentucky 31)
|
98
|
0.15
|
85
| |
|
Crownvetch (Coronilla varia)
|
99
|
0.10
|
65
| |
|
Creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra, var. Pennlawn)
|
98
|
0.15
|
85
| |
|
Annual rye grass (Lolium multiflorum)
|
98
|
0.15
|
90
| |
|
Timothy (Phleum pratense)
|
98
|
0.25
|
85
| |
|
Birdsfoot trefoil mixture (Lotus corniculatus)
|
98
|
0.10
|
80*
| |
|
Redtop (Agrostis alba) *Minimum 20% hardseed and 60% normal
sprouts
|
92
|
0.15
|
80
| |
E.
Seed mixtures: see Seeding Restoration Table at the end of this article.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Said table is included as an attachment to this chapter.
F.
Inoculant.
(1)
Inoculate leguminous seed before seeding with nitrogen-fixing bacteria
culture prepared specifically for the species.
(2)
Do not use inoculant later than the date indicated by the manufacturer.
(3)
Protect inoculated seed from prolonged exposure to sunlight prior
to sowing.
(4)
Reinoculate seed not sown within 24 hours following initial inoculation.
G.
H.
Sod.
(1)
Well-rooted Kentucky bluegrass (poa pratensis) sod containing a growth
of not more than 10% of other grasses and clovers.
(2)
Free from noxious weeds such as Bermuda grass, wild mustard, crab
grass, and kindred grasses.
(3)
Mow sod in the field to a height of not more than 2 1/2 inches
within five days prior to lifting.
(4)
Cut sod to a depth equal to the growth of the fibrous roots, but
in no case less than 1 1/2 inches, exclusive of grass and thatch.
Do not cut sod when the ground temperature is below 32° F.
(5)
Deliver sod to the project site within 24 hours after being cut and
place sod within 36 hours after being cut. Do not deliver small, irregular,
or broken pieces of sod. Do not deliver more sod than can be laid
within 24 hours.
(6)
During wet weather, allow sod to dry sufficiently to prevent tearing
during handling and placing. During dry weather, moisten sod to ensure
its vitality and to prevent dropping of the soil during handling.
Sod which dries out will be rejected.
B.
Finish grading.
(2)
Placing topsoil.
(a)
Place topsoil and spread over the prepared subgrade to obtain
the required depth and grade elevation. Compact with a roller having
not more than 65 pounds per roller foot width to a final compacted
thickness of not less than four inches.
(b)
Hand rake topsoil and remove all materials unsuitable or harmful
to plant growth.
(c)
Do not place topsoil when the subgrade is frozen, excessively
wet, or extremely dry.
(d)
Do not handle topsoil when frozen or muddy.
C.
Seeding.
(1)
Distribute starter fertilizer at the specified rates.
(2)
Incorporate starter fertilizer into the upper one inch of soil.
(3)
Uniformly sow specified seed mix by use of approved hydraulic seeder,
power-drawn drill, power-operated seeder, or hand-operated seeder.
Do not seed when winds are over 15 mph.
(4)
Upon completion of sowing, cover seed to an average depth of 1/4
inch by hand reraking or approved mechanical methods.
(5)
Mulch immediately after seeding, using one of the following methods:
(a)
Place straw mulch in a continuous blanket at a minimum rate
of 1,200 pounds per 1,000 square yards.
[1]
Anchor straw mulch by use of twine, stakes, wire staples, paper,
or plastic nets.
[2]
Emulsified asphalt may be used for anchorage, provided it is
applied uniformly at a rate not less than 31 gallons per 1,000 square
yards.
[3]
Chemical mulch binders may be used for anchorage if they are
applied uniformly at the manufacturer's recommended rate.
[4]
Chemical mulch binders or a light covering of topsoil may be
used for anchorage when the size of the area precludes the use of
mechanical equipment.
(b)
Apply wood cellulose fiber hydraulically at a rate of 320 pounds
per 1,000 square yards. Incorporate as an integral part of the slurry
after seed and soil supplements have been thoroughly mixed.
(c)
Spread mushroom manure uniformly to a minimum depth of 1/2 inch
or to the depth indicated on the drawings.
(6)
When mulch is applied to grass areas by blowing equipment, the use
of cutters in the equipment will be permitted to the extent that a
minimum of 95% the mulch is six inches or more in length. For cut
mulches applied by the blowing method, achieve a loose depth in place
of not less than two inches.
(7)
When mulching by the asphalt mix method, apply the mulch by blowing.
Spray the asphalt binder material into the mulch as it leaves the
blower. Apply the binder to the mulch in the proportion of 1.5 to
2.0 gallons per 45 pounds of mulch.
(a)
Protect structures, pavements, curbs, and walls to prevent asphalt
staining.
(b)
Erect warning signs and barricades at intervals of 50 feet or
less along the perimeter of the mulched area.
(c)
Do not spray asphalt and chemical mulch binders onto any area
within 100 feet of a stream or other body of water.
D.
Sodding.
(1)
Prior to sod placement, complete finish grading and moisten prepared
surface to received sod.
(2)
Do not place sod when the temperature is lower than 32° F.
(3)
Place sod by hand with tight joints and no overlap. Transverse joints
shall be broken or staggered.
(4)
Place sod so that the top of the sod is flush with the surrounding
grade.
(5)
Use of tools which damage the sod or dumping of sod from vehicles
will not be permitted.
(6)
Water sod to the saturation point immediately after placement.
(7)
After watering, tamp with an approved tamper to close all joints
and insure close contact between sod and sod bed. After tamping, the
sod shall present a smooth, even surface free from bumps and depressions.
If so directed, use a light roller, weighing not more than 65 pounds
per foot of roller width, to complete firming and smoothing the sod.
(8)
When placing sod in ditches, place the strip with the long dimension
at right angles to the flow of water. At any point where water will
start flowing over a sodded area, the upper edge of the sod strips
shall be turned into the soil below the adjacent area and a layer
of compacted earth placed over this juncture to conduct the water
over the edge of the sod.
(9)
In ditches and on slope areas, stake each strip of sod securely with
at least one wood stake for each two square feet of sod. Stakes shall
be 1/2 inch by one inch with a length of eight inches to 12 inches.
Drive stakes flush with the top of the sod, with the long face parallel
to the slope contour.
E.
Maintenance.
(1)
Maintenance includes watering, weeding, cleanup, edging and repair
of depressions, washouts or gullies.
(2)
Those areas which do not show a prompt catch of grass within 14 days
of seeding or sodding shall be reseeded or resodded until complete
grass catch occurs.
(3)
Maintain sodded areas for three months from the date of substantial
completion, mow to maintain maximum height of 2 1/2 inches or
as specified on drawings.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said drawings are included as an attachment to this chapter.
